GST relief on Covid essentials

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 13

The 44th GST Council meeting was held on Saturday, in which huge GST relief in medicines, equipment and other related Covid-19 material has been given by the government. The council in its meeting has decided to reduce the GST rates on the specified items being used in Covid-19 relief and management till September 30.

As per the latest recommendations by the Council, GST on tocilizumab was earlier five per cent, now it is nil. Similarly on Amphotericin B, it was five per cent, now nil. On anti-coagulants such as heparin it was 12 per cent while now it has been reduced to 5 per cent. On Remdesivir, GST was 12 per cent, now is 5 per cent.

Any other drug recommended by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Department of Pharma (DoP) for Covid treatment Applicable will for GST 5 per cent.

Besides, on Medical Grade Oxygen, the GST is reduced to five per cent from 12 per cent. The Oxygen Concentrator/ Generator, including personal imports thereof from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. On Ventilators, Ventilator masks/ canula/helmet, BiPAP Machine, High flow nasal canula (HFNC) device, GST will now be five per cent and not 12 per cent. The GST on Covid Testing Kit has been reduced to five per cent from 12 percent. The GST on hand sanitizers will be now 5 per cent from 18 per cent. The GST on Ambulances has been reduced from 28 per cent to 12 per cent.